Folding-machine.



R. HITCHCOCK.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED APR. 8| l9l4. 1 ,273,609. Patented July 23,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

R. HITCHCOCK.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR18.1914.

Patented July 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-"SHEET 2.

#'Jnesse. f

R. HITCHCOCK. FOLDING" MACHINE.

APPLICATON HLED APR. 8. 1914.

Patented July 23,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 .S n e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN HITCHCOCK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FOLDIN G-MACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed April 18, 1914. Serial No. 833,001.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that RuUuEN Hricricocii, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in folding machines, and has for its object the increase in capacity or capability of making commercial folds and generally improving the folding operations of said machines.

Said improvements are directly applicable to a type of folding machine having the general characteristics of the one set forth in the patent to Johnson, No. 893,629, granted July 21, 1908, wherein the folding operations are effected between co-aeting sets of buckling and creasing rolls associated with foldin plates set at an angle of 45 degrees with t e vertical. A cross-feed mechanism is therein employed alternatively with a supplemental parallel-folding plate, and rolls whereby either alternating parallel and right-angle folds or three successive parallel folds may be made in the paper operated upon. Obviously, by using a deflector, two

ai'allel folds may also be made, bilt it is impossible to effect a right-angle fold theref with.

My im rovements are directed toward the modification of a folding machine, whereby a total of four successive parallel folds may be made either of thc duplex fold or of the accordion type, prior to making the rightan le fold. It is my understanding that hit erto it has been impossible to make upon any machine, a fold of the latter description, which has distinct advantages in accomplishing smooth, even corner folds.

My improvements e( ually permit the formation of a less num er of parallel folds prior to making the right-angle fold and to this end, I have provided an adjustable supplemental folding frame with the folding lates horizontally positioned, which may lie operated or not, as required by .the particular work in hand.

vo-acting therewith is an adjustable crossfeed frame which is ada ted to receive the folded sheet. from two di erent levels in the machine and convey it to the rightfangle folding rolls.

Further features of my improvements will be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing sufiicient of the folding machine mechanism for explaining my improvements, while omitting such features as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Figure 1 of said drawings illustrates, in side elevation, a folding machine artially broken away and in section, to wliich my improvements are applicable.

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of said machine centrally broken away and in section.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic vertical section of said machine whereby I may best explain the operation thereof,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the cross-feed mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the side plate and the mounting of its co-acting right-angle folding rolls.

Fig. 6 is a fra mentary view of the adl justing support or the cross-feed mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a view of the frame and mountin for the rolls of the supplemental paral el folding mechanism.

Fi 8 is a diagrammatic view of the parts showing a defiector positioned before the second folding plate and the chute of the cross-feed frame in position before the second set of rolls, and

Fig. 9 is a. perspective view of an accordion folded signature with a single right-angle fold, comprising twenty pages.

Throughout the severa figures of the drawings, I have employed the same character of reference to indicate similar parts.

Referring first to Fig. 3, the course of the folded sheet. may be traced with advantage, in forming the signature illustrated, although it is to be understood that my improved machine in common with other folding mechanisms, is adapted to be used for making a very large number of different folds, merely by suitably adjustin the members. Frame a mounts a feed ta le b in its upper portion, from which the unfolded sheet is delivered between rolls b', b, to the chute c. which directs it between the first pair of parallel folding rolls d, e. These serve to guide the paper into the folding plate e from whic the paper is folded between rolls e, ,'buckled into the folding plate f', folded between the 'rolls f, g, buckled. Within 'the folding plate g',

- folded between the rolls g, it, buckled within slitting or vcreasing rolls i Y series,

4bank'of inclined rolls m,

the folding plateh and -given its fourth parallel fold between the rolls h, z', from which it passes into the chute i between and into the frame j ofthe cross-feed mechanism. Fig. 2

mechanism; the latter comprisingl two sets of paired frusto-conical rolls lc, suitably the sheet to the right geared for advancing and between veralong the grooved guide 1:

tical buckling and creasing rolls lc, Z, as-

relation of the parts. 4

. It will also be observed, that the parallel folding rolls are arranged -in a bank or while the feed-table and the sevor planes,

parallel arrange'- eral folding plates arev in ment and lie compactly disposed in horlzontal planes. By reason of this horizontal arrangement, the paper encounters less friction in passing into and out of'the folding plates, as compared with Atheir disposition-at an angle of degrees, or one approaching the vertical. Moreover, the machine is more compactly built and easier of i' adjustment, when provided. with these features.

The supplemental frame, before men.- tioned, is pivoted to swing the two horizontal rolls with their folding plates, out of the operative position shown, and into the dotted line position. With this adjustment. of thel machine, it is apparent that suitable provision must. be made for conveying the paper into the cross-feed mechanism at a higher level, and vto provide for this function, the frame or chute thereadjusted to receive thev of may vbe vertically paper from between parallel folding rolls, sired level in themachine.

In making the' different machines, it is desirable to handle the paper as little as possible, in order to avoid un-l necessary opportunity for creasing and wrinkling the same, hence it is better practice to dispense with av portion of -theparallel folding mechanism, when less 4than the third and fourth three parallel folds are to be made.l To this illustrates said frame and cross-feed y,

'to explain thev operation of the machine and set forth the with their axes in two vertical rows are suitably geared `folding plates assume or indeed at any defolds in folding 7 end, I have provided a supplemental frame v the folding plates g', 1/ 4' o which mounts together with their co-actlng rolls thereby permitting the removal of these members from the bank' o'r series of rolls. In furtherance of this feature, .I have also made the entire frame y', and the cross-conveyer mechanism vertically adjustable, so

that they -are adapted to be elevatedinto position for -receiving the `folded sheets from between the rolls f, g. `This function is'indicated in the diagram (Fig. 8) wheredotted line, while a .deflecting f, is posi- `in the chute i is shown in yposition to re-v ceive the folded' sheetindicated by a curved tioned before the folding platerf,l 1n order to prevent the entrance of thel folded sheet and permit the formation ofavsingle fold between the horizontal rolls e, f. v Of lcourse, it would be impracticable briefly and adequately to s et forth the various folds which can be made in a machine of this type, but'after an explanation of the mechanism forA effecting these folds, those skilled inI the art will understand how it. may be adjusted to accomplish the various parallel folds required before the signature isconveyed from one level to another of the paper-folding mechanism, intoA the right-angle rolls. v Coming now to the machine itself, it will be seen thatthe several parallel rolls, as shown in Fig. 2, in a bank or train to be driven 1n unison, of which the upper roll `further explanation. of'

g is stationarily journaled and the remaining rolls yare resiliently pressed one against the other by means pf such as are shown in Fig. The first four rolls, d, e, f and g,'are mounted within the main frame a of the machine, while the frame o pivoted at o', in said machine,

s pring mountings,

serves removably to mount the rolls h, i, 'I

and theirco-acting folding plates g', h-, A resilient bar 0, whichengages the pin a serves to hold the frame o with its rolls operative relation s and 4folding plates inwith the remaining .parallel folding rolls,

as shown in full lines (Fig. The dotted line position of these'members, whereinthe their inoperative vertical position,l adapts the machine'for making one `or two parallel folds before the paper passes into the framey' of the crossfeed mechanism; this frame being elevated the distance necessary to permit chute c" to receive the paper from g, as indicated in Fig. 8. To accomplish this, said frame `y' is afforded an upper and lower position by means of the adjustment therefor, indicated in Figs. 2 and 6. This frame isl provided with paired bars jbetween which the parallel folded sheet` is directed and two square supporting bars between the rolls the rolls f, g, or the rolls l1, 1', of the paper folding mechanism. The frusto-eonical rolls f, together with their grooved guide lu',

are similarly adjustable upon the bars j, in order to adapt the cross-conveyer mechanism to accommodate sheets of different widths, as they are received from the parallel folding rolls. The full and dotted line positions of these members indicate such adjustment in Fig. 2 of the drawings, whereby a relatively short sheet or one of maximum size may be conveyed to the right between vertical folding and buckling rolls la, Z, associated with the side platel.

vEach of the folding plates is provided with an adjustable stop or stops as e, g, whereby the length of the folded sheet may be accurately determined. Similarly the side plate is provided with an adjustable longitudinal stop Z2, which determines the length of the first right-angle fold made therein. I

As stated, the several rolls of the bank are resiliently pressed one against the other by means of suitable mountings interposed in the train and best shown in Fig. 7. Thus the rolls h, z', are seen to be respectively journaled within pivoted end brackets q, fr, which are provided with springs Q', 1", and adjusting screws q, 7', for regulating the tension thereof. Roll g is shown in position of engagement therewith as the frame 0 is rotated into operative position and secured bv the lbar o. This bar, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, is likewise adapted to maintain the frame in inoperative position, when engaged with the' stop a. In order to swing this supporting frame with its rolls and folding plates into and out of position, it is necessary to swing the cross-feed mechanism into the dotted line position, also indicated in Fig. 1. This is accomplished by the pivotal mounting of said frame upon the bushings fp', shown in the lower side frames (Fig. 2) and indicated by the dotted circle (Fig. 1).

As shown in the top view (Fig. 5), the side plate is provided with a lateral spring Z" for supporting the paper while tra velin f therein, and the co-aetlng buckling and creasing rolls 1c, Z and k2. are in resilient engagement, but these features form no part of my present invention, and with other details of the folding machine, require no specific description herein.

While I have chosen to illustrate theV twenty-page oblong book fold s of Fig. 9,

and initially describe its production in my improved folding machine, this is to be understood as illustrating merely the maxilullin capacity of the machine shown, for producing four successive accordion folds, before the right-angle fold is nlade, and the same mechanism, by differently adjusting the stops in the folding plates, will produce the duplex book fold of thirty-two pages with but a single right-angle fold.

From the foregoing description, it will further be understood, that the displauemenf'l of the supplemental frame and the insertion of a deflector before the folding plate f, will produce successive parallel and right-angle folds in the aper s', while a defleclor, similarly may )e placed before the folding plates g or h of the supplemental frame to restrict the number of parallel folds therein.

While I have disclosed the preferred means for adjusting both the supplemental frame and parallel folding rolls and plates, and correspondingly adjusting the frame of the cross-feed mechanism, I do not wish to be understood as necessarily limiting my invention to the details here embodied, nor to the precise. number and arrangement of parallel folding rolls and their folding plates, except as hereinafter specified. Y

Having now described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following 1. In a folding machine, the combination with a vertically disposed bank of buckling and creasing rolls, of a set of buckling and creasing rolls positioned with their axes at an angle thereto, cross-feed mechanism adapted to convey the sheets from said vertical bank of rolls to those at an angle thereto, and means for adjusting said cross-feed mecha.- nism, whereby the same is adapted to receive and convey the aper from different levels of said vertical )ank of rolls, substantially as set forth.v

2.- In a paper-folding machine, the combination with mechanism for effecting a plurality of parallel folds, of additional mechanism for effecting a fold at an angle to said parallel folds, cross-feed mechanism for transferring the folded sheets from one folding mechanism to the other, and adjusting means therefor, whereby said cross-feed mechanism is adapted to receive and convey the paper from different portions of the parallel folding mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. In a folding machine, the combination with a vertically disposed bank or series of buckling and creasing rolls, of a plurality ,of co-acting folding plates respectively associated with different sets of rolls in the series; said plates being positioned substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, whereby the folded sheets are adapted freely 'pass nto'and out lof said folding plates, l.

substantially as set forth.'

the samel in unison, plates respectively positioned opposite ferent sets of rolls and of saidbank v being substantially Q f orth. 5.. In a folding machine,

with v a bank or series `and creasing the same in unison, a. plurality. of folding lates respectively positioned opposite dif-. erent sets of rolls and lupon alternate-sides of said bank or series,(yo-acting buckling of'said bank ofl rolls,

, of said bank or'series,

and folding rolls positioned at an angle with those of said mechanism adapted to convey the folded sheets from one set of rolls to the other, and a vertical adjustable means for said crossfeed mechanism adapting the same to receive and convey the sheets'- from different levels substantially .as set forth. v

6. In a foldinginachine, the combination with a bank or series of co-acting buckling and creasing rolls arranged with their axes in two vertical rows, of means for driving thev same in unison, a plurality offolding` lates respectively positionedopposite diferent sets of rolls and upon alternate -sides a supplemental frame mounting 'a portion of said rolls and folding plates, a set of rolls operating at an angle with the other, and a cross-conveying mechof'said bank or series' creasin the ban anisni comprising a frame, adjusting means for the frame permitting it to be positioned for receiving the folded sheets eitherv from above or below the rolls in the supplemental mem- -to receive and trans er the bers adapted from the bank of rolls to the folded sheets 4set of rolls atan angle therewith, substantially as set forth.

7 In a folding machine, with a bank or series of co-acting buckling and creasingv rolls arranged with theiry in two vertical rows, of means for driving the same in unison, a plurality of folding 'plates respectively positioned oppositedifupon alternate sides said folding plates bein substantially horizontal and in lplanes para of buckling and ferent sets of rolls and ell to each other, a set rolls ositioned at right angles to of ro s rst named, and cross-conveying mechanismv comprising a frame positioned approximately beneath and adjacent to the bank of rolls, adjusting means bank or series, cross-feed`V ing rolls vresiliently the combination axes nism, substantially as set forth. ,v

forfsaid frame adapting it to receive the folded sheets from diderent levels of said bank of rolls and also comprising conveying members adapted to pass the/foldedsheets between the right angle rolls, substantially as set forth. Y

` 8. In a foldinglmachine, with means for advancing the combination adapted to receive .and convey the folded sheets from a level either aboveor below the position of the rolls in said supplemental frame, substantially as set forth.

9. In a folding machine, the combination with a .bank or series of buckling and creasacting one against the other, of a plurality of folding plates horizontally positioned 'upon opposite sides of said bank or series of rolls and respectively tio-acting with different rolls of the series, a supplemental 'frame removably a portion of said rolls and their vfolding plates, a set of buckling andcreasing rolls at right angles to, and at one side o f said bank of rolls, and cross-feed mechanism, comprising transferring means adapted to receive and carry the folded sheets from the bank of rolls to angles thereto, a' guide or frame `for said folded sheets, and adjusting means for positioningthe same to Vreceive the sheets at a level above or below the position of the rolls mounted in the supplemental frame, substantially as set forth.

10. In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of parallel-folding devices, of right-angle folding-mechanism associated therewith, a cross-conveying mechanism, and means for adjusting the s ame toreceive and convey the signature from different parallel-folding devices gle folding-mechanism, forth.

11. In a folding machine, the combination v with -a plurality of parallel-folding devices, of means for removably .adjusting a portion of said devices in operative relationwith the mechaconvey the signature devices to said right-angle folding'mechathe remainder of the set of -rolls at right s eitherl from the ad- I justable or non-adjustable parallelfolding the sheets to be folded, of a bank or series of co-acting horigzontal rolls, mechanism. for rotating said respectively positionedA at different horizon- 115 to said` right-ansubstantially as set izo 12. In a paper folding machine, the com` bination with a plurality of parallel-folding appliances arranged in substantially vertical relation, of additional folding mechanism for effecting a transverse fold, and adjustable intermediate conveying means for effecting the transfer of the signature and submitting it for a transverse fold in immediate succession to any parallel fold or folds, substantially as set forth.

13. In a paper folding machine. the combination with a plurality of parallel-folding appliances comprising not less than three such appliances, of a co-acting transversefolding mechanism, and means for adjustably associating said transverse-folding mechanism with any desired one of the i11- dividual parallel-folding appliances, Whereby a transverse fold may be effected in immediate succession to any parallel fold, substantially as set forth.

14. In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of stationary parallel-folding appliances, of an adjustable parallelfolding appliance adapted to be disposed in cooperative relation therewith, transverse folding mechanism and adjustable means for coperatively associating said transverse folding mechanism alternatively with the stationary or the adjustable parallel-folding ap iliances, substantially as set forth.

n testimony whereof I do now atiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

REUBEN HITCHCOCK. Witnesses:

W. B. ALFouD, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

